Wednesday, December 20, 2017

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2017 — The Syrian Democratic Forces
continue their momentum to drive the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria out of
Syria in their advance against the enemy in the

Speaking to reporters via teleconference from Kuwait, Dillon
noted that the SDF have “deliberately and meticulously” cleared about 1,700
square miles of former ISIS territory since the beginning of operations in
September.

“Despite recent claims from Russia that Syria is free from
ISIS terror, the SDF are still meeting resistance from ISIS fighters in the
region,” he said. “ISIS is putting up a stiff defense in remaining territories
in the [Middle Euphrates River Valley], likely as a delaying action to allow
other elements to displace to Southwest and Northwest Syria to seek sanctuary
or continue to fight.”

He noted Syrian regime commanders in Eastern Syria suggest
ISIS fighters from the valley might have slipped through porous Syrian and
Russian defenses to arrive in areas near Damascus.

“We’ve also seen a recent ISIS attempt to transit westward
through the [Tanf] area, albeit unsuccessfully, because of our partners’
actions to interdict,” Dillon said, adding the SDF remains “steadfast,” making
progress in the Middle Euphrates River Valley.

SDF, ISF Milestone

A milestone was met Dec. 11, when the SDF reached the border
of Iraq and linked up with Iraqi forces who were completing their clearance of
ISIS’ final pockets in Iraq, the colonel said. “Our two defeat-ISIS partners
are working together to reestablish a secure international border,” he added.

Just as the coalition has been committed to the military
defeat of ISIS, “we are equally committed to securing the gains on the
battlefield and preventing the return of this terrorist group,” Dillon said.
The broader efforts of the global coalition are also focused on the
stabilization of areas cleared of ISIS, he added.

“The civilian-led efforts addressing vital needs, such as
restoring essential services and fostering education and employment,
stabilization and humanitarian efforts, go hand-in-hand with our military
campaign and all these efforts lead to lasting security and help people return to
their homes and get on with their lives,” the colonel said.

And the coalition continues to put pressure on ISIS senior
leaders and associates across multiple networks to degrade, disrupt and
dismantle remaining ISIS structures and remove the terrorists throughout Iraq
and Syria, he said.

Coalition Congratulates Abadi

Dillon congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi
and the Iraqi people on achieving full liberation from ISIS.

“We honor the sacrifices of all elements of the Iraqi
security forces that fought ISIS for the last three years,” he said. “The military
parade in Baghdad was well-received and other celebrations were well-attended
and highlighted the professionalism of the Iraqi security forces. Prime
Minister Abadi said in his liberation announcement that ‘Iraq must wipe out any
ISIS remaining relics and never allow terrorism to return.’”

The Way Ahead

A high-level committee of the Iraqi Defense Ministry and
CJTF leaders met Dec. 5 to discuss the way forward for the coalition’s
continued support of Iraq, Dillon said.

“The meeting prepared for the future transition of the
defeat of ISIS campaign,” he said, adding, “The campaign will tailor our
support based on Iraqi requirements with a particular emphasis on the
capabilities needed to hold and secure liberated areas.”

As an example, the coalition began training with 60 members
of the Iraqi border guard force, the colonel said. The border guard project, he
added, will instruct the forces in deployments on the border to control
movements and deny passage of terrorist infiltrations.

Dillon said the focus in Iraq is increasingly on long-term
stabilization so life can return to normal and the Iraqi people can look
forward to a brighter future.

“We have made it clear that the defeat of ISIS will not
occur on the battlefield alone and that is why we are working with many
governments and non-governmental partners around the world to counter the
terrorist group's efforts to radicalize, recruit and inspire people to
violence,” he said.

ISIS’ Virtual Domain

“Although ISIS’ physical caliphate has crumbled, we fully
expect the enemy to make a concerted effort to maintain their presence and
influence in the virtual domain,” the colonel said. “While ISIS has been
defeated as a conventional force, we cannot forget their terrorist roots.”

Dillon said ISIS has not regained any of the liberated
territory across Iraq and Syria, and more than 7.7 million people are now free
from the enemy.

But the campaign to defeat ISIS is not over, he said.

“We know this enemy is adaptive and savvy as it is cruel and
evil,” the colonel said. “We will continue to support our partners and keep
pressure on ISIS to deliver a lasting defeat so that these terrorists in Iraq
and Syria cannot return.”